Frequently Asked Questions About Schengen Visa Application.

June 27, 2015

One of my popular posts to date is the one where I talked about how to apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai. Since I posted it, I have been receiving numerous emails and comments on a daily basis asking for more information about this procedure. I have been replying to each and every single comments during the first few months however, I noticed that the questions have become repetitive and if only the readers will read the post and comments thoroughly then they wouldn’t have to ask me those questions anymore. I realized though that it might be difficult for anyone to read through all of it so I’m compiling all the Frequently Asked Questions About Schengen Visa Application on this post.

Before going through it, please be advised that THE INFORMATION ON THIS POST IS BASED SOLELY ON MY PREVIOUS SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION EXPERIENCES. EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES MAY CHANGE THEIR PROCEDURE AT ANY TIME SO IT IS ALWAYS BEST TO CONTACT THE CONSULATE/EMBASSIES DIRECTLY TO GET ACCURATE INFORMATION.

Is there a specific amount to have in my bank account or salary bracket requirements before I can apply for a Schengen visa?

There is no specific amount nor a salary bracket requirements. The only thing that you will have to consider is that the amount of money that you have in your bank account should be able to sustain your travel to the Schengen state for the whole duration of your stay. So the longer your stay is, the higher the amount they require.

What I normally do is, I get the bank statement as soon as my salary is deposited to my account. That way, I will have a big amount in my account to show them.

I didn’t do it though on my first Schengen visa application. I applied for it when I have just completed my 6th month in Dubai and with my company. I only had AED3000 in my account then and I have applied for a visa valid for 7 days. Surprisingly, I still got the visa. So I guess it all really depends if the amount you have in your account will be able to support you for the whole duration of your stay.

Do I need to open a separate bank account for visa application or the account where my salary is deposited is enough?

I always show my account where my salary is being deposited plainly because I don’t have any other bank accounts. So I would say, there’s no need for you to open a separate one since the embassies would also want to see the in and out activity of your account.

How many months of bank statement is required?

Depending on the embassy’s requirement. Some embassies require only 3 months while some require 6 months statement. So you have to double check on their requirements list.

I am going to visit someone I know in the Schengen state, is it easier for me to get a visa if I will show that they are going to sponsor me for the whole trip or is it better if I apply for it myself?

I have not applied for a Schengen visa this way so I have no idea if it will make it easier or not. I also do not have any information on how to apply for a visa this way so you will have to contact VFS or the embassy directly for the proper procedure.

HOWEVER, if you are married to someone whose passport belongs to a Schengen state then I will say that it is easier. I have recently applied for a Greek Schengen visa after marrying The Greek Mister and the documents they required was much less for me, I didn’t have to pay for a fee and they gave me a one year valid visa.

Do I need to purchase my ticket or a dummy ticket will suffice?

This is ricky question as now, it all depends on the requirements of the country you’re applying for. During those times when I myself was applying for Schengen visas, all countries required a confirmed TICKET and not just a booking. But now, I have heard from friends that they only required a flight BOOKING. So you have to check the requirements stated by the embassy you’re applying your visa for if they require a ticket or a booking.

If they require a ticket, I suggest you buy a real confirmed ticket and not use a dummy one. Embassies randomly check if these tickets are real. Someone made a comment of his experience when he applied for an Italian visa. He bought a confirmed Emirates ticket and as soon as he got his Italian visa, he cancelled the Emirates ticket and refunded it so that he can buy a cheaper flight. The next day, he got a call from the Italian consulate that they need to see him and when he went there, they told him that they need to cancel his visa since he cancelled his Emirates ticket.

Now I’m not sure if he’s telling the truth but I definitely wouldn’t want to be the one to witness it myself and say, Yes, it’s true. I don’t see the point though of lying about it or making up such story so I believe him.

If I apply for a visa validity for a week, are they only going to give me a visa valid for only 7 days or there will be some allowances?

The visas I got are always just valid for the duration of my stay. I have observed though that if the applicant is married, they automatically get a 6 months valid visa. I’m not very sure if this is still the case though.

Can you recommend a good travel agency to process my visa?

I don’t use travel agencies to process my visas since the only thing that they will do to help you is to collect all the documents from you. That’s it. You will still have to personally bring the documents to VFS or the embassy since they will require your fingerprints and photo to be taken. So if you’re going to use a travel agency to help you, you’ll be paying them just to make sure that you have all the documents completed when you can do it yourself. So I don’t know why would anyone even do that.

If I apply for a German visa and I didn’t mention that I’m also going to some other countries during my stay, will it be a problem?

Once you have the Schengen visa, you can move around the Schengen states so it doesn’t matter where you’re going after AS LONG AS, your first point of entry will be the country where you applied your Schengen visa from.

If for example you have a German visa and your first point of entry is another country say for example you flew into Paris, the immigration in Paris MIGHT ask for your itinerary to see if you really are going to Germany after. In this case, you will have to prove that you are in fact going to Germany and that you are in fact going to stay there longer. Remember the Schengen visa rule? You can apply for your Schengen visa to the country where you’ll be entering first or you’ll be staying the longest.

The above example happened to a client of mine who had a German visa with him but he was going to Paris and not at all going to Germany. When he arrived in Paris, the immigration officer asked him to show his onward journey (hotels and flights/trains booked). When he couldn’t provide anything, he was asked to take the same flight that he flew in back to Dubai.

How long does it normally take to get the visa?

Normally, they say that it will be 14 days although I normally get my visa within a week. HOWEVER, during the summer holidays or the peak season like the Eid holidays, it can take even a month to get so you have to plan your holidays and visa processing accordingly. You can apply for your visa as early as 3 months before your departure which is what I normally do to avoid any delays.

Can I postpone my trip after I get the visa?

I have never done this before so I don’t know if you can. However, speaking out of common sense, I think you won’t be able to since the visas are only valid for specific dates – unless you got a 6-month valid visa which will then allow you to travel anytime within that 6 months period.

Can I use a hotel booking using booking.com?

I’ve never done that so I’m not sure if it’s valid.

I received this message “A decision on your Visa application reference number:……. has been made by the Consulate General Your application has been received at the Joint Visa Application Centre and is ready for collection.” Does it mean my visa is granted or denied?

There’s only one way to find out, go and get your passport. Everyone receives that message whether it’s denied or granted.

Where can I get a travel insurance and how much does it cost?

If you’re in Dubai, I only get my travel insurance from DNATA. A 5-day valid travel insurance is around AED100 (not sure if it’s still the same). I normally don’t pay anything more than AED200 whenever I buy a travel insurance from them. Make sure that you mention that you’re going to use it for Schengen visa application though since they do have a lot of options for travel insurance.

If you’re not from Dubai, you can ask any travel agencies if they have it. Normally, big travel agencies will have some sort of travel insurance with them as well.

My visa has been rejected, how do I make an appeal?

I’m not sure how to do this so you may want to ask VFS directly or the embassy.

Do I need to travel around first so I can get stamps from different countries in my passport before I apply for a Schengen visa?

It sure of course will help you get a better chance to have the visa but no, it’s not required.

I’m a housewife and I’m traveling with my husband. Is it ok for me to present his bank statement for the two of us?

Of course it is, but then you have to make sure that the balance amount in the bank account can support the two of you for the whole duration of your stay. I normally get a bank statement as soon as my salary is deposited, that way I have a big amount in it. 🙂

What country gives Schengen visas the easiest?

No such thing, I think it all depends on the documents you’re going to submit. I’ve applied to a lot of embassies and it’s been the same so far.

Do I need to have an itinerary or just a flight and hotel booking is enough?

Flight and hotel booking is enough but make sure that you have ALL the documents for the whole duration of your stay. If you are staying for 2 weeks, then you must show all of the hotel bookings you’ve done for the whole 2 weeks. If you’re going to transfer from one city to another, you must also be able to show how you’re going to do this – by train, flight or boat.

Can I apply for a Schengen visa from Dubai if I’m not holding a UAE residence visa?

No, you have to apply for a Schengen visa from where you’re residing.

My UAE residence visa is expiring next month, can I apply for Schengen visa with it?

No, most embassies require at least 3 or 6 months validity of your UAE residence visa. Along with your passport.

If I apply for my Schengen visa here in the UAE and travel from a different country to go to Europe, will the visa be valid?

As soon as you have the Schengen visa, you can travel from anywhere you want.

More than the above clarifications, the best advice I can give anyone is to have all the required documents ready and in order. Be truthful with your application and if you get rejected, don’t fret since you can always reapply anyway. Should you have any other questions other than the above, I suggest for you to contact the embassy or consulate directly. Good luck!

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201 Comments

hi guys!
I have Pakistani Passport and I want to apply for spanish schengen visa for 6 days, I have decent travel history like Fiji, Malaysia, Singapore, Georgia and Turkey, I have around 14k aed in my bank as savings, what are the chances?

I want apply schengen visa after 3-4 month with my family. I am working in abu dhabi but my family in India. My family will come in abu dhabi next month for 3 month visit visa. Can we all apply schengen visa in abu dhabi.

I have Pakistan Passport, submitted at France Embassy along with spouse, issued multiple visit visa in processing time of mere 8 working days (excluding Public holidays). The procedure is very clear, all we need to be honest in documents. In my opinion acceptance criteria is not based on 1 or 2 factors but they verify each and everything about the applicant, from nationality to intention to return.

In order to increase the chances of acceptance, most important things need to be considered to have confirmed flight return ticket, confirmed hotel booking, sufficient balance in the account (Eur60 per day, I don’t remember exactly was it 60 or 100). Here some people believe that showing a huge amount in the bank statement will weigh more on the selection, well this is not the case at all.

Further, nationality play a role in speed of visa processing, in my case I expected to be called within 4 days but took 12 days even though I have attached detailed documents.

But I have a regret that I cannot use multiple visa as the validity of the visa is only 90 days, would be more happy if it was 6 months, I would like to hear from you people anyone has the same case or got 6 month with multiple.

Hi my dear,
I am applying for France visa for the second time.the last time I applied was in 2015 and I got a 6 months multiple visa.since 2015,it’s this year I want to see if I could apply again for 7 days vacation to France.i finished my 3 years contract with my previous company and now I just got a new resident visa with another company which I had just worked with the present company for just a week and is taking a 10 days leave.what are the chances for me to get a visa granted Pls? Help any one

Hi, we planned to go to Prague on 22-26 Dec. Our hotel and ticket booking is 22-26 however our insurance travel is 22-31 Dec. Will the Prague embassy will give us 5days or 10days as per the insurance validity?

i were submit my application for the Netherlands embassy first time i got 3 months visit visa
i m so happy thanks a lot
anyone need anyone info about that please you can write to me
usman undersocre jat undersocre 1 at yahoo dot com

i just wanna ask you how many days after you lodge your application in VFS did you received your schengen visa.. did you wait for 15 days? 10 days? or just only a week? i am worried because i only have 10 days to wait before my traveling date.

Anyone applied here in Netherlands? Just wanna know if I need to provide the daily activity itinerary? And do you think 5k is enough for 8 days travel? Can I use Dummy ticket? Any advise and suggestion please?

Hy
all dears: anyone want to apply TRC card in Poland for 3 years but for this you need a valid visit visa. if you have the schengen visa you can come to poland and applied for that trc card for 3 years. anyone need any help in this regard they can ask me on here usman underscore jat undersocre 1 at yahooo do com
wish them very good luck for all them

Hello Everyone,
Working in Dubai and planning to apply for a schengen visa to Sweden for a visit to a relative in November (1.5 month’s time).I have a couple of questions with this regards;
1).I do not have a local bank account(dubai) ,and have rather been saving my monthly income in my home bank.Will a statement from my home bank suffice?Is it acceptable in the embassy?(foreign bank statement rather than a local bank statement)
2.)I’ll also be receiving the invitation documents and its requisite attachments( sponsors passport,residence permit) as scanned soft copies via email.Is this acceptable in the embassy?
Please advice.Much appreciation and thank you in advance!

u need to have a bank account and savings here in Dubai, u have to present 6 months or 3 months depends on the requirement.it is a MUST.
i remember my aunt send me an original documents from germany, not just a scanned copy, just check with the swedish embassy, to make sure.

hi i have some question .
we are planning to travel schengen countries for 14days and we hire a travel agent and we have itinerary for that ,after that 14days we want to diy travel also to luxembourg,norway,spain ,maltaand portugal we need to purcahse in advance the ticket and hotel?

I found a job in Italy and they are planning to process my employment visa by October. Do i really need to cancel first my working visa here in U.A.E. before i apply or pass all the requirements for employment visa in Embassy?
Thank You!

We are four friends who are planning for a Europe trip this September. We have booked our flight tickets.
Now one of our friend is married and she is a house wife.Her husband won’t be accompanying us.

My question is if she says that here husband will be her sponsor and shows all the documents of her husband, will that be a problem.
And if it won’t be a problem, what all documents she need to produce of her and her husband to be ready for the visa process.
Any help here ?

Hi, After my stay must i fly back home from the country that issued me a visa or i can fly from anywhere. For example, if Germany issued me a visa can I return home from Italy or i must go back to Germany before i can return home??

Hello, After my trip do i need to fly out of the schegen zone from the country that gave me visa just like the way i came in or can i fly out from a different country? For example if Germany gives me visa can i fly out of Italy after my stay or i need to go back to Germany to fly out??

I got a shengen visa to itali for month of August but my plans have changed and i need to travel in month of June, does anybody know if there is a way i can do it, shall i go to embassy directly? As i think that VFS will reject any visa application because i already have a valid visa which starts in August. Thank you for assistance in advance

Hello! Do we need to purchase train tickets already if we’re planning to go to Amsterdam? We are going to apply in French Embassy via VFS since we will be staying for 4 days in France and 3 days in Netherlands.
Does the Embassy of France require the train tickets upon Schengen Visa Application?
Thanks in advance!

Hy all my friends recently applied for Netherlands Schengen visa got it or refuse it. also anyone advice to me my visa application were refused from italy embassy like 4 moths before is it ok that i m applied for Netherlands or just more wait then apply it kindly advice to me
thanks thaks

hy
all my dear friends i need bit advice from you that my visa application was refuse in November from italy Embassy. now please kindly advice to me when should i apply it for again for schengen visa. in march my one year compelte in uae as admin director and my salary is 9,500 aed. also i were visit thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. advice to me which embassy i were applied for and when……. thanks
or does anyone have the same experience refuse from one embassy and then to apply other and get the visa. kindly please advice to me thanks

i know it is to late to respond in you message but ill answer it just incase people will ask the sane question. Once the embassy call you, you have to be competent in answering them, it means they are giving you a chance to defend ur self before they reject your visa. in my situation, they suppose to rejecny visa even i completed all my requirements. its because i have one problem with my residency. they told me that they can not provide me a visa because of that. but i answer them honest answer. and after that i ask if i have to do something to prove my intentions in going Europe, but tgey told me that they will just explain my reason in going there and if they need me to submit another requirements, they will inform me. after that i get nervous but i feel something good. it is because they let me explain my purpose. while waiting, it is unexpected that I received ny passport. at first i thought theres no attached visa because i cant find it. but Poof! THEY APPROVED MY VISA AND ATTACHED IT IN THE LAST PAGE.. just Pray and believe. JUST BE HONEST GUYS THATS ALL.

Hello. I m applying a employment visa in uae. And my visa is approved .but I didn’t received a copy of visa .but my visa status is approved .and I ll book a ticket .and tomorrow is my flight .but I didn’t received it. So can I travelled only wid ticket..plzz give me the answer

i need the info regarding about if anyone have refuse from italy embassy and then apply it any other embassy got the visa.
after how many months wait and then apply it, please kindly advice to me
i m thinking to reapply after 3 months but please advice to me thanks

I just want to ask if I can apply for a schengen visa 5 months before my travel? I’m planning to apply by the end of March but the conference in Poland is on August. I really want to apply on March because I”m planning to apply for US visa after getting a schengen visa which will be quite a strong reference for my US visa application.

I am going to apply for Italia visa,schengen visa,somebody let me know the expiry of my NOC from the employer,when I have to take,and how long it will be valid.
Is my application is still under process during the expiry of my NOC?shell I need new NOC if they called me at the time of interview.If NOC expire

hi rahul, may i know if you have any travel hostory and how long youre staying in Dubai?

Usman munirJanuary 5, 2017 at 02:36

Hy
Dear I need info too, I have immigration History travle to Thainland, Singapore, Malaysia, and now I’m got the South Korea visa, please kindly advice to me which embssay I will submit my visit visa application. I’m here in Dubia more 11 months. I were applied for Italy Embsaay they refuse my visit visa application. In November should I wait few more months then apply it any other Embsaay

RahulJanuary 5, 2017 at 12:50

Hi Christina,

I have traveled to countries in Asia and Africa. However, I have not been to Europe. I have been living in Dubai for 2 years.

CharlotteJune 6, 2017 at 10:43

you dont need to have any travel history to get a visa. but all you need to do is complete the requirements needed. one important thing if you think all ur purpose only is to have a tour there’s no problem about that application. unless you have any plans. just be careful because they have a lot of resources to find if your telling the truth. me i applied for a schengen visa to see ny grand parents in Germany, and they send me an invitation letter with obligation letter. if you dont have anyone knows in the country youll go you just gave to show that you can support your self while you are there and you dont have any illegal intentions. And if they reject your visa. after submitting all your requirements, theres still a chance. you just have to attach a personal letter of your personal purpose of travel to ur application you will going to submit. and the most Powerful— Pray and Trust God.

Hi. I applied my German Visa in VFS Wafi Mall last November 29, 2016. I have all the documents needed including the travel insurance worth 275 AED good for 15 days. I also had a few trips before in south east asia and China in particular and have always come back by the end of my travel. It is sad that my application was refused when it was just 5 days and my salary was at a basic AED 5,000 which is pretty much sustainable already. I’ve had the hotel booking reserved and flights as well. The reason for the refusal was this “Their intention to leave the territory of the Member States prior to expiry of the visa could not be ascertained.” and “not furnished proof of sufficient means of covering the length of stay for the duration of the intended stay.”. I have read in your application that you were just at 6 months when you applied and in my case, I am here for a year already and I have provided bank statements more than 6 months til the the latest. I am confused why it was refused. What can you advice me? should I just go for an agency and pay a package tour there? Thanks a lot.

yes, i think it is better to find a packages tour. even do you have a history tour. they dont base in there. what they are searching is how will you spend 15 days staying there without any tourist guide, while in fact you never been there. so how will go for a tour alone. anyway you can still reapply it if you want.

its sad news all my dear they refuse my visa application they make a right decision ,they refuse my application on the base on my telephone interview. when you submit your visa application keep note my answer and question in last post
but never mind, they refuse it on that the information justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provide.
i m agree with them they make a right decision.

dear they give me that refusal with reason that the information justification for the purpose and conditions of the intended stay was not provide.
they not said that i will not come back…….. like they said about you……..
how much was your bank account statements ?

ANYONE RECENTLY APPLY VISIT VISA in italy embassy and get late reply from them.
please leave the message here thanks
i were submit my visa application on 13th of this month but not get any answer from them yet… anyone on same page like apply it and not get any answer my others friend apply it on 17 and then get their visa on 27 but with my application not yet kindly advice whats should i do it now
if not have good answer what should i do it apply it any other embassy or wait few more months then apply it
kindly reply here its help others

HY
Dear my friends anyone got schengen visit visa from Czech Republic Embassy recently, kindly share your experience here thanks a lot
one of my friend going to apply it he need the info does anyone have the experience about that please write here and waiting for the comments please

dear my friends
if i were refuse my schengen visa application to italy, i will apply it any other embassy after one week or wait more 3 months
please advice to me at this my visa application in italy embassy. i hope that i will get the answer in this week if its refuse then what i should do it
please advice to me apply it any other embassy sooner or wait few months then apply it
thanks kindly give me the reply

HY
ALL MY DEAR FRIENDS,
i want to share with whats happened with my visa applcation so far i were submit my visit visa for schengen itlay, i were submit my applcation on 13-11-2016 and next day i got the phone call from embassy they ask me few question. i do not know whats happened with me i m not give the answer in good way at all . i were prepare my applcation myself but i dont know whats happened. now i hope for the best. if i got refuse whats you advice to me apply for any other country or just wait few more months then apply it
kindly advice to me thanks thanks

thanks dear now i am waiting for there response nothing more i can do it…
where you from and whats your plan ….
means you are going to apply it or you got your visa…
first time you are going to apply it or
kindly give me the reply..
how much you have the bank statemst and your montly salary
when i were applied salary 9,500 and bank statemts 27k..
how long for you are in uae

thanks for your reply:
dear i get the phone call next working day after submit my visa application at ckgs.
they ask me normal question why you want to go italy, why you cchosse the italy, where about in italy you want to go, can you tell me few points in italy, i were note in my travel book but cant give the answer in right way what i think, i know and note the point of interest in all different city, before the applciation i get all the info about that but i cant explain to her at all, i know i know i know most the point of interset in italy you are married where is your wife, how many children do you have i t, do you have anyone in italy or in eu, how long for you are working with this company,she ask about my perviouse visit to thailand, malaysia, singapore, i were so much confuse that i told her bangkok not thailand. thats the question she ask me on the phone. i were not expecting that i will get the phone call next working day and even in moring around 11:00am. now i m track my visa applcation i can see that its in embsssay at 11:04 time

Hello to everyone i want to apply my visit visa for italy visiting my friends and cousions so tell me i have my uae resident visa that have a servent visa so can i apply my visa how many chance to i get italy visit visa on uae servant visa?

I have a query about the UAE residence permit rule you highlighted. I was told at VFS while submitting my business visa application to the Netherlands that my UAE permit needs to be valid for a minimum of 3 months AFTER my return from the Schengen region. Could you please shed more light on this?

I’ve heard a lot of contradictory information over the past few days, with the visa team at my office and consular staff at the Dutch Embassy in Dubai confirming that nothing like this exists. Three months validity AT THE TIME of application just makes a lot more sense in my head right now.

2 friends of mine, 2 seperate occassions, were denied visa for this reason. Their residence permit will expire within 2 months and 29 days after their “supposed trip” from europe. The embassy enclosed a reason for denial being “residence permit less than 3 months. Hope this helps

all my dear friends pleas keep updating your schenegen visa experience its will be helpful for others a lot . anyone recently got the schengen visa please update your comments here please, she is move to london but we will keep going on this blog and i m kindly request all dears whom applying for schengen visa. keep applying it and keep wrote your experience thanks a lot.

.1 anyone recently apply for schengen visit visa and got it and refusal it
.2 in which embassy apply it…
.3 does anyone apply for Portugal schengen visa and got it or refusal it
.4 please keep updaeting your experience

HY
All dear brother and sister, i need little bit help from you, i m going to submit my Italy schengen visa application. but i m getting to difficult to write a cover letter or itinerary , please kindly help me out how i can write and what to wrote inside please if anyone have example letter please you can e mail to me.
or anyone get the recently visa from italy embassy please kindly advice to me. my salary is 9,500 per month and in my bank account have it 25k. my mind want that i will apply for holland schengen visa then italy schengen visa. if anyone recently got the visa from Netherlands schengen visa please advice to me. my e mail address usman underscore jat underscore 1 at yah oo dat com
i shall be so thankful to you
usman munir

Hello good evening to all I have a query about bank statement which is showing my bank loan is that a problem to get a Netherlands tourist visa for 7 days and I have 7 thousand in my account is that enough to get single entry visa to Netherlands? Can any one reply me please and waiting for soon reply

do you submit your visa application or yet please give me the reply
usman underscore jat underscore 1 at yah oo dt com
from their we will speaks more about it thanks its my advice to you wait and then apply it

Dear Bro, can anyone reply me for my query, i have some question like i have a bank loan and i have only 7000 AED in my salary account and i like to apply for Netherlands visa, is that possible for me to apply from Dubai please can you reply me.

Hi. Is there anyone here experienced delay on the release of their Schengen visa application in Italian embassy in Abu Dhabi? We submitted our application on July 5, 2016 and our documents are still pending with the embassy. We are travelling on Sept 16, 2016 and we haven’t heard anything in our application yet. This is not the 1st time we’re applying for Schengen. I had 2 previous Schengen visa ( from Italy and Greece) which was released in less than 1 week when I applied. I wonder how it took a while this time. VFS global cannot give us any update on our application. Until now the status remains the same “Application has been forwarded to the Italy Embassy Abu Dhabi on 05/07/2016”. Tried to call the embassy but my calls are always dropped by the visa section. Any advise?

We submitted ours on the 24th of August and were planning to travel on the 15th of September. No update yet from ckgs (Italian visa). The last update was on the 25th saying it had been received by the embassy.

Hi just wanted to quell a few misconceptions reg. Schengen visa. Evrybody around me discouraged me a great deal saying I wouldnt get the visa cz I was single, had a blank passport n hadnt travelled outside india since past 15 years. But guess what? Not only did the italian embassy issue me a multiple entry schengen visa, I got my visa stamped passport just after TWO days of submitting my documents at the vfs italy centre.n iv been over the moon since then. I guess the secret was honest n detailed paperwork n a thorough cover letter. My bank balance was pretty good n consistent and I alsonsubmitted my fixed deposit copies and a clear n precise NOC and therefore contrary to evryone’s expectations iv got my schengen visa n will be travelling to italy at the end of the month. So guys just be honest in your cover letters n submit proper documents !

whats you were write in your cover letter
please give the hinds
its will be helpful for us and i m so happy for you wish you have the great trip and enjoy your holidays, all the best wishes for you and take care please.
how much was your salary, please explain to whats you were wrote in your cover letter
you write in that which places you will go and visit and other things regarding about your visit in Italy kindly
explain to me thanks thnak

hy, shikha dear, thats great news that you get your visa. if you dont mind please you can send me your cover letter and prepare my cover letter i dont have any ida how to make a cover letter whats to write in it kindly please send to me on my e mail. usman underscore jat underscore dight one (1) at yahoo dat com i shall be so thankful to you
wish you have great flight and wish you have great time in italy enjoy your hoildays all the best wishes for you shikha
please kindly

dear please you can send to me the cover letter formate i would like to write my cover letter for visa please give me the formate i will write i dont know where from i can start it please thanks a lot
waiting for your kind reply please

DEAR NOW I M KINDLY REQUEST TO YOU AGAIN PLEASE SEND ME YOUR COVER LETTER I M GOING TO APPLY IT ITS WILL BE HELPFUL FOR ME I SHALL BE SO THANKFUL TO YOU PLEASE KINDLY SEND ME YOUR COVER VIA E MAIL USMAN _ JAT _1 at YAHOO DOT COM I HOPE THAT YOU ARE COME BACK FROM ITALY AND HAVE GREAT TIME IN ITALY THANKS REGARDS

I wan to apply for schengen visa,I have 20 thousand diram in my account but last four month my company paid me cash salary.i submit only one time my self.I want to know there will be no issue for schengen visa

Very useful and informative blog, the blog have all that one wish to know about the whole visa procedure and requirements, great job, thumbs up… i am an accountant by profession, and planing to visit Hungry, Austria and Czech in my upcoming vacation in September, i have traveled before to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey and recently Japan, do you think it will increase my chances of getting Schengen Visa???

Mubarak ho
I’m so happy for you
I would like to know few more things from you that how long you have been in UAE and after to apply for visa
How much is your monthly salary …
Please advice to me
I’m here in UAE more then 6 months and working in company as a admin director Salary is 9,500 per month
Have bank statments 3k
Please kindly advice to me
Thanks

Hi. I work in a hospital and salary is 8000 aed. Im 2 years here in UAE. When I applied for Italian Visa my money in the bank was around 4k only. Good thing they approved it. Just complete the documents needed, have a good itinerary and hotel ang plane bookings also. I booked my hotel in booking.com with frer cancellation.

Guys i applied for a schengen visa today in poland embassy Abu Dhabi . When she was receiving my docs she stamped my passport with a stamp thay contains the date i applied for visa and she had took my passport. What does it mean ? Do you think this mean my application will be rejected?

Very useful and informative blog, the blog have all that one wish to know about the whole visa procedure and requirements, great job, thumbs up… i am an accountant by profession, and planing to visit Hungry, Austria and Czech in my upcoming vacation in September, i have traveled before to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey and recently Japan, do you think it will increase my chances of getting Schengen Visa???

its a receiving stamp on passport
you did wrong to apply for poland visit visa
really they are not giving visa
but hope for the best
all the best wish for you take care please and be happy keep prayer
allah pak will help you dont worried

Guys, i have applied for a polish visa today from Poland Embassy in Abu Dhabi , i have noticed that she stamped one of my passport pages with the date of Application submission date , does this mean my application will be rejected ?

Hi. Just wanted to share our experience. We applied for schengen visa in Italy on june 30. We provided all the documents needed. My bank statement that I presented was 4k only and my companion was around 7k only. We were very scared and worried because our money in our bank were very little. We waited for almost 1 month though the vfs told us that the waiting time for visa processing will be 2 weeks only. Honestly, we were worried because 2 weeks had passed by yet we havent received our passport back. We were losing hope. But thanks to God because he answered our prayer, we got our visa to Italy just today. We are going to Italy on September. So to anyone who wanted to apply for visa, just complete your documents and regarding the money in the bank, as long as you have a strong connection in UAE, im sure they will grant you a visa going to europe. And dont forget to PRAY.

Mubarak ho
I’m so happy for you
I would like to know few more things from you that how long you have been in UAE and after to apply for visa
How much is your monthly salary …
Please advice to me
I’m here in UAE more then 6 months and working in company as a admin director Salary is 9,500 per month
Have bank statments 3k
Please kindly advice to me
Thanks

salam alaikum Mr.Usman,
dear Bro, i have some question like i have a bank loan and i have only 7k in my salary acount and i like to apply for neterlands visa, is that possible for me to apply from dubai please can you reply me.

Hy
Dear i need some information regarding about shahngen visa, I m working in Dubai as an admin Director and my salary is 9500 per month from FEB 2016. PLEASE kindly advice to me i should apply for schengen visit visa now or wait more few months then apply it, cos with this company i only 6 months working with this company.
and more i got different countries visa like Malayala, Thailand, japan and Singaporean
thanks thnaks

Thank you for this informative blog. I would like to ask for help about applying schengen visa at Italy embassy. Me and my friends are planning to go to Rome this sept 24 for 3 days. In the application form, is it possible to apply for multiple entry even though we are just going to travel in Italy? Or it would be a high risk for refusal of the visa?
Thank you,
Hoping to hear from you soonest! x

schengen visa its a multiple entry visa you can go again but the at airport they will ask you about few question, regarding about your hotel, you have the money and bla bla …. you do not need to to apply for schengen multiple visa, cos its a mutliple visa.
thanks i hope that you get the answer of your question

Hi,
I have multiple entry Schengen visa expiring in 2020, this was issued in Netherlands consulate. I used that visa when I travelled to Amsterdam last month. Coming December I want to travel directly to Paris, I can use my Schengen visa (issued in NL consulate), right? since I already used that on my first point of entry last May.
Thanks for reply.

Very useful and informative blog, the blog have all that one wish to know about the whole visa procedure and requirements, great job, thumbs up… i am an accountant by profession, and planing to visit Hungry, Austria and Czech in my upcoming vacation in September, i have traveled before to Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Turkey and recently Japan, do you think it will increase my chances of getting Schengen Visa???

Hi pinayhigh, I’ve been following your posts for a long time now and I just want to make sure that on my first time of application for Schengen visa, there is a big chance that I will be able to make it. My questions are the following..

1. Based on hearsay and and online references you think Prague is an easy first point of entry with regards to fastest visa approval? as compare to greece?
2. The ITI that I will make is Dubai- Prague-Denmark-Dubai but I’m planning to enter other countries in between without them knowing because they may ask for a higher bank money if it shows that I’ll travel to several more countries. Basically, I should apply for multiple entry visa right? also, for that IT I can avail of the 99usd DNATA insurance?
3. For visa application, do I need a National ID card like Emirates ID card? because I haven’t got it yet because of visa renewal and I wanted to save time.

Hi! I’d like to ask if it is possible for me to apply for a Schgen Visa in UAE if I am a resident of PI? I’m going to have my vacation in Dubai for 1 week and Im planning to travel to Greece from Dubai the next coming week.

I got schengen visa approved through Belgium Embassy, however two weeks after approval my RP will be cancelled due to emergency resignation, will there be any problem if I still travel despite of my cancelled RP. Does embassy will be informed of the my cancelled working visa? Please enlighten me

[…] If you have any questions about Schengen visa application that I was unable to answer, you can refer to this page where I’ve answered the most commonly asked question about this proces: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION. […]

I just came back from my Paris Trip for 5 days, i had my Multi Schengen Visa valid until July 2016. I want to know if I will travel to another schengen country, do I need to pass to France to get to another country or I can go straight where I want to go.

being a frequent traveler, I can tell you that you don’t need to pass France again to go to another country. You can go straight where you want to go since France was already your first point of entry using that visa. Enjoy! 🙂

Great article.
I have a different situation. My husband is a student and I am working in Belgium (But I’m dependent on my husband). I want to get my parents here. Is it possible for me to sponser them?
Tanks in advance!

“No such thing, I think it all depends on the documents you’re going to submit. I’ve applied to a lot of embassies and it’s been the same so far.”

Most non-sensical statement ever! My friends who applied for Italy & France got it on the 3rd day. I applied for Greece and it has been 13 days and no visa. Germans, French & Itslians are efficient. Greeks are just plain lazy, al
though they have one of the most beautiful islands in the world.

Thanks for the feedback however as someone who used to work as a travel agent for both Dnata and Emirates Holidays, we’ve handled a lot of passengers whose visas got delayed for a period of a month or even two resulting to cancellation of the packages they’ve booked through us. If I am not mistaken, it was the summer of 2014 where all of the visas were delayed in almost all of the embassies in the UAE. Some embassies released official statements with regards to these delays. I remember that very well as we had to beg the hotels and tour operators in different cities of Europe to cancel or rebook the reservations without the penalties as even the most-seasoned travelers that we have as clients who have been going in and out of Europe multiple times a year had their visas delayed.

We normally advise our clients to plan ahead of time for their holidays specially if they’re planning to go during the peak holiday season which is June to August in Europe. Embassies tend to get a lot of visa applications during that time hence the delay.

I travel a lot and I have to say I agree with Ron. I have applied for a Greece Schengen visa and they took 30days and I had to call them several times to follow-up and to express my urgency. whereas in other embassies like Italy, Portugal, Norway, etc. they took only 1-3 days!

I have applied for Schengen visa entering from Germany exact 7 days ago. Unfortunately on 7th night I had to cancel my first hotel booking as they were about to charge me AED 3000 according to their policy. So for that I had to cancel that hotel and book another one within the same dates with free to cancel policy. Now German consulate has my real flight tickets, real insurance and 2 real hotel booking out of 3. One I have changed already.

Do you think that can lead to rejection? Even I have a good travel history including Schengen last year.

I work here in QATAR currently and I’d like to ask because i am planning to go to London for 10 days but my resident friend in London wanted us to go to Rome when I get there, how would I apply a schengen VISA here in Qatar? Would my hotel and flight ticket (schengen requirements) originates from London to Rome – because eventually it is really from London that we would take to Rome. Please help…Thanks alot!

Yes, your flight ticket should originate from London since that’s your itinerary.
Unfortunately, I have never experienced applying for a Schengen visa of other countries other than Greece from here in Qatar. My husband is Greek and I easily get a Schengen visa from Greece everytime I apply. You should search for the embassy of ITaly then to get valid and accurate information.

If I enter NL with schengen visa only for 14 days with my multiple 2 years visa, how long could I enter back the country again? Some says the difference between need to be 3 months. Is it possible if I enter back again less than 3 months?

Not so sure of that, best advice is to check with the embassy directly. Visas are very tricky and a very sensitive issue. I wouldn’t rely on hearsays or blog posts – I would go to the embassy directly if I were you.

i applied for Germany business visa through VFS global on 4th Oct and i intend to Go on 26th i didn’t receive any information until now
will the embassy call me for Interview as well? this is my first time to apply for Shenzhen visa and i am Pakistani Passport holder.

Hi
I just visited Brussels for an Exhibition from 28 Sep to 3 Oct 2015….after obtaining Schengen Visa (Business – C Class), Since it was my first time to apply for Schangen so i was surfing internet to get some useful tips to apply for Visa. By that time I also benefited by your website “pinayflyinghigh.com” which helped me a lot to clear my ambiguities about preparation for the Visa. Before that I was contacting Travel Agents to make Bookings for Air Ticket / Hotels / Insurance for which they were charging me …but after reading the Advice in your website I learnt that I can do it on my own via net and i will have full control on my bookings. Just to let you know I am a Pakistani residing in Dubai, U.A.E. and I applied Schangen Visa through Belgium Embassy…

I am trying to list down the steps I went through to obtain Business Visa, that may help for readers who are planning to apply…

1- In August 2015, first week I called Belgium Embassy (Abu Dhabi) to get appointment, and they gave me Date 01 September, I was supposed to attend Exhibition on 29 Sep-02 Oct, So I thought still i will have sufficient time for embassy to process. Be noted they need 3 weeks to process the application (especially for First Time Appicants).

2- I did booking on Qatar Airways, It was valid for 3 days only….but I didn’t buy Ticket as advised by Embassy (on their website)
3- On “booking.com” I reserved a Hotel Room in Brussels, It was having “Free Cancellation” Policy, They took my Credit Card Details but didn’t charge (after getting visa, I cancelled that booking and did new booking of my own choice again), I also did Travel Insurance on Internet.
4- For Business Visa, the most important document is “Company Letter” stating your employment status like tenure of the Job, Designation, Salary, Purpose of Visit and Company’s pledge to bear the Cost of Visit (Air Ticket, Lodging, Insurance etc…) plus the letter must mention the “Purpose of Visit”.
5- On the Appointment Date Sep 1, 2015 I went to Belgium Embassy in Abu Dhabi, We were only 5 Applicants on that Day to apply for the Visa.
6- I presented all the necessary documents (Air Ticket Reservation, Hotel Booking, Insurance, Co. Letter, Passport + Copies).
7- The first and important question I was asked ‘What is your Purpose of Visit”, for which I replied as I am going to visit an Exhibition…I also explained how it’s relevant to our business.
8- Visa Officer asked me to Pay Euro 60/= and they returned my Passport by Stamping their Embassy Stamp (remember Not Visa Stamp) and they asked me to wait till 10 Days until they call me after processing the Visa.
9- I assume it was due to my First Time, otherwise they were keeping passports of the Applicants who were interviewed earlier in my presence, and they were told that they will get Visa in 4 Days, or 6 Days….but in my Case I was given my Passport back.
10- Before interview, I thought it would be easy to get Visa because I was having everything necessary to apply but after interview when I got my Passport back It gave me very negative feeling…Anyway it was a start of my nerve test…the Real Story is ahead.
11- After 10 Days without hearing anything from Embassy, I called and got the answer that “it is under process” and they will inform as it gets ready.
12- On 20th Sep I sent an Email to remind them and also told them there is Eid Holidays from 23 Sep to 26 Sept, so there is no much time to prepare for the trip….but No answer of that Email.
13- On 21 Sep. I again called and spoke a lady there who again replied same thing “It is under process”, when I told her that I am running out of Time for my Trip, she said she can’t do any thing…She said they need 21 Days minimum, I said its already 21 Days then she said they need 21 Business Days….I guess this was only to give me some reason otherwise they were not doing anything since I applied. She asked me to send an Email and I told here I have already sent Email on 20th Sept…However Conversation ended without any positive response from Embassy.
14- On 22 Sep at 4.30 p.m. I received Call from Embassy that my Visa is ready and I can go to Embassy on next working day i.e, 27 Sep to get stamp on the Passport.
15- On 27 Sep I visited Embassy and they stamped Visa for 20 days …Business Visa Type C,
16- I had to purchase Emirates Airline’s expensive Ticket, did hotel booking and flew on 28 Sep for the Show, I returned on 3 October …

So the conclusion one can draw from above that try to avoid Agents for bookings, It’s simple and you can do at your own. Embassy also knows you don’t have to buy anything until you get Visa so they don’t go in depth or details. Secondly you have to push the Embassy very gentle way without conflicting…I was pushing them but not fighting with them. I have to admit that they tested me till the last minute, because if I don’t get call from them on 22 Sep then it was impossible for me to join the Exhibition…

I tried to give my experience in detail but hope it might help some people intending to apply for Business Visa.
In the end, I forgot to mention they don’t require any Financial Proofs as Business Visa means Company will Sponsor. I was working as Sales Manager..so it was not needed.

This will be such a useful article for anyone applying for the visa. We’re outside Schengen in the UK but luckily for us the procedure is a lot simpler here in the UKSuze The Luxury Columnist recently posted…Town House Kensington – Seriously Stylish Dining

hello pinay ,
Hope you will be fine.
i have one question , please can you tell me , how much the required amount in the bank statement minimum , For Schengen visit visa for 7 days.
your reply will be highly appreciated.

[…] Schengen visa application. I tried to answer all of the frequently asked questions on this post: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION. Should you have any other queries that I wasn’t able to answer, please contact the […]